Hyperkalemia Center - Scranton, PAScranton Internist Doctors for HyperkalemiaType of Physician: Internist What is a Internist? A certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners provide long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. General internists are trained in primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and treatment of problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care. Internists consult with surgeons when surgical management is indicated, and often act as consultants to other specialists. Specialty: Internal Medicine Common Name: Internist Doctors in Scranton * Scranton Counseling Center  Piczon-Manahan Associates  Piczon-Manahan Associates  Scranton Temple Health Center  Douglas Klamp MD  Sander J Levinson MD  Horizon Medical Corporation  Professional Orthopaedic Associates LTD  Scranton Temple Health Center  Scranton Temple Health Center  Henry C Yeager MD  Charles S Deck and Anees Fogley MD  Charles S Deck and Anees Fogley MD  Mary Ann McDonald MD  Anthony Perry MD  Kenneth H Rudolph MD  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Scranton Primary Health Care Center  Scranton Primary Health Care Center  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  PrimeMed PC  Vincent C Bianca III MD  Michael J Turock MD & Associates  Michele Hazzouri MD  Robert W Kaville MD  Community Medical Center Emergency Dept  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Gerard Nealon MD  Eugene A Turchetti MD  John J Cipriano MD  Eugene A Turchetti MD  Geisinger-Lake Scranton  Joseph F Philbin MD  Geisinger-Lake Scranton  Michael Montella MD  Nicholas D Dodge MD  PrimeMed PC  PrimeMed  Thomas L Minora MD  Joseph S Soliman MD  Lawrence A Salvatore MD  Medical Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania  Medical Associates of Northeastern PA  Medical Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania  Medical Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania  Medical Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania  Lackawanna Medical Group PC  Lackawanna Medical Group PC  Lackawanna Medical Group PC  Lackawanna Medical Group PC  Lackawanna Medical Group PC  Mercy Group Practice  Mercy Group Practice  Mercy Group Practice  Giovanni Ramos MD & Cynthia Oleski MD  Giovanni Ramos MD & Cynthia Oleski MD  Drs Alocci Serine & Weston  Drs Alocci Serine & Weston  Drs Alocci Serine & Weston  Michael J Barrett MD  Kurt P Moran MD  Geisinger Moosic Center  Prime Med PC  Prime Med PC  Prime Med PC  Northeast Occupational Medicine & Rehab Center  Sean P McCall DO  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Michael A Jalowiec DO  Scranton Heart Institute PC  Sheela Prahalad MD  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  PrimeMed PC  PrimeMed PC  PrimeMed PC  Physicians Health Alliance  Lori Williams MD  Susan Biancarelli MD  Mauer Biscotti MD  Guy M Fasciana MD  James J Kosik DO  Richard L Weinberger DO  Physician Health Alliance  Linda J Thomas MD  Pittston Medical Associates  Pittston Medical Associates  Chilson Clinic PC  Internal Medicine Partners Inc  Internal Medicine Partners Inc  Physicians Health Alliance Inc  Lakshmi D. Mizin, M.D.  Linden Medical Group  Robert Engel MD  John P Brady MD  Leonard A Kuchemba MD  The Arthritis Center Scranton, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)Read the Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) article » What is hyperkalemia?Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%. Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.
How does hyperkalemia affect the body?Potassium is critical for the normal functioning of the muscles, heart, and nerves. It plays an important role in controlling activity of smooth muscle (such as the muscle found in the digestive tract) and skeletal muscle (muscles of the extremities and torso), as well as the muscles of the heart. It is also important for normal transmission of electrical signals throughout the nervous system within the body. Normal blood levels of potassium are critical for maintaining normal heart electrical rhythm. Both low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia) and high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. The most important clinical effect of hyperkalemia is related to electrical rhythm of the heart. While mild hyperkalemia probably has a limited effect on the heart, moderate hyperkalemia can produce EKG changes (EKG is an electrical reading of the heart muscles), and severe hyperkalemia can caus... Recommended Reading Related to Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)What are electrolytes?Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs. Common electrolytes that are measured by doctors with blood testing include sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The functions and normal range values for these electrolytes are described below.
SodiumSodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body funct... Other Related Hyperkalemia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Scranton
Nearby Scranton Hospitals *Mercy Hospital of Scranton Moses Taylor Hospital Community Medical Center Allied Services Rehabilitation Hospital Mid-Valley Hospital Clarks Summit State Hospital Marian Community Hospital Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center Kindred Hospital Wyoming Valley Wilkes Barre General Hospital John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine First Hospital Wyoming Valley Clear Brook Manor Geisinger South Hospital Wilkes-Barre Tyler Memorial Hospital Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Mercy Special Care Hospital Wayne Memorial Hospital Endless Mountains Health Systems Clear Brook Lodge Barnes-Kasson Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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